Article support



June 28, 1960 l. G. SPlGELMAN ARTICLE SUPPORT Filed Dec. 3, 1957 UnitedStates Patent I ARTICLE SUPPORT Irvin G. Spigelman, Chicago, 111.,assignor to Chicago Printed String Company, Chicago, 111., a corporationof Delaware Filed Dec. 3, 1957, Ser. No. 700,390 I 8 Claims. (Cl.229-52) This invention relates to an improved article support and moreparticularly to an improved handle having greatly enhanced strength andversatility which may be especially adapted for use with heavy cartonsand the like.

In the past few decades, the distribution of many consumer products hasbeen in small packages weighing only a few ounces. Such small packagescould be readily packed into kraft bags and the like for transportationby the purchaser. However, it was necessary to repurchase the goods atvery short intervals. Furthermore, such packaging techniques areexpensive, the cost of the package often equaling or exceeding theactual value of the goods contained therein.

A typical example of a product in this category is soap in granulated orflake form. Soap and modern detergents are used in large quantities bythe housewife and are relatively bulky and heavy. Thus the housewife hasheretofore required many of the conventional small boxes in order tocarry on her-normal daily routine and thus purchased the goods atregular, very short intervals. The manufacturers of soap and detergents,recognizing this, have recently introduced large size cartons containingin the order of twenty to twenty-five pounds of soap or detergent ingranulated form. While these cartons greatly improve the efliciency ofpackaging and have resulted in lower cost to the consumer, they aredifficult to handle and the housewife objects to one such cartonsubstantially filling her entire shopping bag. Thus, severalmanufacturers have attached handles of various types to such cartons,but all of the handles heretofore proposed have been expensive, weak orcumbersome during shipping and handling prior to purchase by theultimate consumer.

Thus, it is one important object of this invention to provide animproved article support having greatly enhanced tensile and impactstrength.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved articlesupport which is simple and inexpensive in construction.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improvedarticle support which may be readily manufactured by automatic orcontinuous processes.

Another object of this invention is the novel method by which articlesupports of the type described herein may be manufactured.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a separatehandle unit which may be readily inserted, in cartons and the like aftersuch cartons have been filled.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improvedcarton handle which will not interfere in any way with normal storage,shipping and handling thereof.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide an improvedcarton handle wherein no tear or shear stresses are of importance butall stresses are distributed as tensile forces substantially parallel tothe joints and webs of the construction.

Further and additional objects of this invention will 2 appear from thisspecification, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

In one form of this invention a handle unit especially adapted forinsertion under two of the top flaps of a cardboard carton is provided.More particularly, the handle unit consists of a cardboard Web having anelongate flexible handle secured thereto at its ends with the endportions folded under the Web and with transverse reinforcing stripsattached thereto.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a carton comprising and incorporatingone embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. l withthe handle unit shown in the removed position;

Fig. 3 illustrates the first step in the manufacturing process describedherein;

Fig. 4 illustrates a subsequent step in the manufacturing process ofthis invention.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the handle unit of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the flexible elongate handle takenon the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 acarton 10 incorporating handle unit 12 is illustrated. The unit 12 hasan elongate flexible handle 14 secured thereto in a novel manner and theunit is disposed between sets of opposite carton flaps 16 and 18. Inassembling the carton and unit'the flaps 16 are first folded in the opentop 20 of carton 10,. after which the handle unit 12 is placed thereon.

The second setof opposed flaps 18 are cut away to provide space for theflexible handle 14. The cuts include large transverse end cuts 22 andslightly cut-away central portion 24 so that when the flaps 18 overliethe handle unit 12 as shown. in Fig. l the elongate handle 14 passesthrough the large cuts 22 readily and lies within the cut-away portion24 between the flaps 18. The unit 12 may be secured to the flaps 16 withany appropriate adhesive, if desired. The flaps 18 are similarlyadhesively secured to handle unit 12.

The handle 12, as partially shown in Fig. 2, is of unique constructionwhereby it possesses great tensile strength, impact strength, andrigidity. The unit 12 consists of a central rigid web 26 which may beformed of stiff cardboard or the like and two underlying end portions orwings 28 folded under web 26. As will be described in greater detailhereinafter the flexible handle 14 is secured to the wings 28 andtransverse reinforcing strips are associated therewith.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, the method of producing the handle unit12 will be described in detail. A continuous elongate strip of cardboard30 is passed in the direction of arrow 29 through appropriate machinerywherein continuous strips of reinforcing strand material 32 and 34 aresecured to the cardboard parallel to the elongate edges 31 and spacedtherefrom. The reinforcing strips 32 and 34 may be of any appropriatematerial, although in one particular embodiment of this invention a tapecomposed of sixteen ends of 1800 denier rayon were found to beespecially appropriate. Although the strands may be secured to thecardboard 30 with any appropriate adhesive, a vinyl emulsion was foundsatis factory in the described embodiment. Immediately following theapplication of reinforcing ,strips 32 and 34 the web 30 is transverselycut by any appropriate means such as a conventional slitting ma- Ti aaaeea eee d mee m de ram me -sa i has strengthmore thanjadequirtefofithesupport 'o'f cairt'ons cont'aining twenty-five pounds-F'ofimate'rial.

i passed in thedirection. indicated by arrow 38 through a secondmanufacturing stage Where the elongate handle 14 is secured thereto. 7

The handle 14 is placed over web 26- with looseness or freedomtherebetwee'n whereby in subsequent use the fingers of a purchaser maybe passed between the web and'han'dle' The ends 40 of handle '14aresecured to thewing's'28 in any appropriate manner. .A special machinemay be provided for automatically forming the arcuate central portion ofhandle 14 and 'coincidently gluing ends 40 to wings 28. Thereafter wings28 are folded under web 26 along lines 42,-producing' the handleassembly'12 illustrated in Fig. While the method of manuraentrehas beendescribed as it is. especially. adapted for automatic machinery, itshould be clear that any individual step, or the entire operation, may'be'per formed .nianually. f a a p In Fig. 5, it can. be seen that theelongate handle 14 "2,942,771 f j 7 V the following claims.

isloosely disposed above web '26 and is secured thereto 7 along theunderside thereof by securing the ends .40 to the wings 28,. by adhesivemeans. :Reinforcing stri'psf32 and 34 are shown as a plurality of strandends asalready described. above. The handle 14 may be constructed ofthe'same strands utiliied for reinforcin strips 32 and 34, that is, aplurality of 1800 denier rayon strands disposed in independent alignedrelationship. In the pre ferred embodiment the strands are enclosed in acover formed of paper 'or' the like. v V V 'Fig. 6 illustrates thepreferred cross section of handle 14. Handle 14 is formed by passingaplurality of strands 44 through ,a machine by which an adhesive such asthe vinyl emulsion described above is applied to, the

strands, after which a'paperwrappe'r 46 is formed there about.Thewrapper 46 is formed 'of, a continuous .elon'gate s't'rip of'material, The edges 48 of'the strip are-first folded to 'overlieadjacent'portions 50 of the fstrip, after 'which the edges. and adjacentportions are I claim: 7 V p 1. An article support. comprising 'a stifirectangular web, stifi integrally formed wings extending from twoparallel edges of said web and folded to partially overlie one surfacethereof, anda flexible elongate handle overlying the other surface ofsaidweb and having a length 'substantiallygreater than said .web, theends of said handle, being secured to said wings whereby said handle'loo'sely overlies said other surface, said ends of said handle beingformed over said two parallel edges with the associated wings.

2. An article support comprising a stiff rectangular web, stiffintegrally formed wings extending from two parallel edges of said weband folded to partially overlie one surface-thereof, reinforcing meanssecured to each of said wings adjacent to said web and extendingparallel to said two edges, and a flexibleelongate handle overlying theother surface of said web and havinga length substantially. greater thansaid web, th'e ends of said handle being secured'to said wings wherebysaid handle loosely 'overlies said other surface, said ends of saidhandle being formed over said two parallel edges with the associatedwings.

folddfabout the 'strandstfliorming a complete encasenient thereover.

7 The handle produced by ihe'prdejess set-forth above is unique in.that, it iswell adapted for continuous or automatic production on'well'known or readily con- "structed' machines All of the operationsare initially fperformed n one s'ide'o'f the'niain web of the unit,after .which theends thereofiare folded under. .The constructionhasjunusual strength in thatthete' is notendency "to draw the handleiawa from the'we'b, but .all forces acting thereon are'tensile,'-for'ces applied substantially 'p'ar'allel to the jointsbetween'the handle and'wing;por tions. Moreover,the end portionsofhandle 14 are reinforced by transverse strips 32 and 34 whereby 'thetensile 'forcesacting on thehan'dle are distributed through "'afeinforcing .T consisting of the handle ends 40 and the outwardly.extending portions of reinforcing 1 strips "32 and 34. i Thisconstruction also z' reatly aids inslthe suppo'rtoflweightby thecarton-19.. .As the'weightis f'uniforrrily 'distribnted along the edgesof thehandle unit throughstrips 32 anid 3,4, the' weig'ht is distributedas 1 pur'eiensile forces in the walls of. the'ca'rton and there-islittle ornotearijng orlshearing 'forces' resulting ;from

' the use of'this' handle.

1 ,Whileone particular .ernbo'diment 'efi this invention ha'siheen'described in intricate detail it will. be clearthat"variousmodifications wiltimmdiately a ear to one skilled; in "thisart; For exam le the benefits of. the

"flexible handle and rigid web' can beattained irrespective;

i io f' the particular ma'terials whichhre em 'l y g, h --y ee, forexample,i"may be of 'eardboar'd Las 'jsuggested" V "'or finight'beiofpaper,fappropriateplasticsor thin metal 3. .An article supportconiprisin gi a stifi rectangular web,jstifi integrally formed-wingsextending from two parallel edges of said web and 'folded' to partiallyoverlie one surface thereof, reinforcing means .on each of said wingscomprising a plurality ofindependent strands and ansadhesive securingsaid strands to ;said wing adjacent to said' web and extending parallelto said"two edges, and a flexible elongate handle overlying the othersurface of said web and having a lengthsubstantially greater than saidweb, the ends ofsaid handle being secured to said wings whereby saidhandle loosely overliessaid other surface, said ends of said handlebeingformed over said two parallel edges with the. associated wings.

4. An-articlesupport comprising a gstitf rectangular web, stiffintegrally formed wings "extending from two parallel edges of said'weband folded to partially overlie one surface'thereof, reinforcingmeans on each'ofsaid wings. comprising a plurality of independentstrands and an adhesive securing-said strands to said wing adjacent tosaid web and extending parallel tosaid-two edge's,and

aflexible elongate handle overlying the other surface of said 'web andhaving a length substantiallygreater than said web, the ends of saidhandle'being secured to said wings whereby said handle loosely overliessaid other surface, said' ends of said handle being formed o'versaid twoparallel edges with the associated wings, said handle comprising aplurality of independent strands, an adhesive securing "said'strands'together, *and a covering surrounding said strands.

.5. An article 'supportcomprisingta container having jjan open top' andflap :portionshinged to said container alongspacedsubstantially-parallel edges ,of'said open top to overlie said opentop,.'a stiff rectangular :web, stiff integrally formed-wings extendingfrom'two parallel fedges of said -web andfolded topartially' overlieonesurface thereof, reinforcing means oneachsof said-.wings comprising aplurality aofi independent :strands and .an adhesive securing saidstrands to said wing zadjacent to' said wee 'and;extending :parana:togsaid itwo 1edges,'.and

a flexible elongate handle overlying the other surface of said web andhaving a length substantially greater than said web, the ends of saidhandle being secured to said Wings whereby said handle loosely overliessaid other surface, said ends of said handle being formed over said twoparallel edges with the associated wings, said handle comprising aplurality of independent strands, an adhesive securing said strandstogether, and a covering surrounding said strands, said Web beingdisposed in said open top with said flap portions thereover whereby saidhandle is exposed adjacent the juxtaposed free edges of said flapportions.

6. An article support comprising a carton having a bottom, side walls,and an open rectangular top, flap portions hinged to the four edges ofsaid carton defining said top, a stiff rectangular web, stifi integrallyformed wings extending from two parallel edges of said web and partiallyoverlying one surface thereof, reinforcing means on each of said wingscomprising a plurality of independent strands and an adhesive securingsaid strands to said wing adjacent to said web and extending parallel tosaid two edges, and a flexible elongate handle overlying the othersurface of said web and having a length substantially greater than saidweb, the ends of said handle being formed over said two parallel edgesand secured to said wings whereby said handle loosely overlies saidother surface, said handle comprising a plurality of independentstrands, an adhesive securing said strands together, and a coveringsurrounding said strands, said web being disposed in said open topoverlying two opposed flap portions, two of said flap portions overlyingsaid web and being secured thereto whereby said handle is exposedadjacent the juxtaposed free edges of said flap portions.

7. An article support comprising a carton having a bottom, side walls,and an open rectangular top, flap 6 portions hinged to the four edges ofsaid carton defining said top, a stiff rectangular web, stifi integrallyformed wings extending from two parallel edges of said web and partiallyoverlying one surface thereof, reinforcing means on each of said wingscomprising a plurality of independent strands and an adhesive securingsaid strands to said wing adjacent to said web and extending parallel tosaid two edges, and a flexible elongate handle overlying the othersurface of said web and having a length substantially greater than saidweb, the ends of said handle being formed over said two parallel edgesand secured to said wings whereby said handle loosely overlies saidother surface, said handle comprising a plurality of independentstrands, an adhesive securing said strands together, and a coveringsurrounding said strands, said web being disposed in said open topoverlying two opposed flap portions and secured thereto, two of saidflap portions overlying said web and being secured thereto whereby saidhandle is exposed adjacent the juxtaposed free edges of said flapportions.

8. The article support of claim 7 wherein said handle comprises aplurality of rayon strands secured together with an adhesive formed of avinyl emulsion and surrounded by a paper cover.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

